Resident Teaching Artists - Open Call Now Live!

ATLAS ARTIST
RESIDENCY

TEACHING ARTISTS

2024 Resideny Teaching Artists Nastassja Swift leading youth residents in found object art activity

We are excited to announce applications for the sixth year of the Atlas Artist Residency, a cornerstone program within ART 180’s Intergenerational Life Cycle Model.

Each year we seek Residency Teaching Artists (RTAs) who will design and instruct curricula in a summer art intensive for ten underrepresented youth artists (ages 14–19). These artists guide and mentor participants selected for the program through creative exploration, skill-building, and professional development, helping them develop personal processes and finalize original works that strengthen their artistic portfolios.

This year we are seeking a Residency Teaching Artist (RTA) and Residency Teaching Artist Assistant (RTAA) position. The RTAA position is designed explicitly for Atlas Alumni who have completed ART 180’s teen programs and have a desire to become emerging teaching artists. The RTAA supports the lead RTA and youth participants, gaining hands-on experience in facilitation, classroom management, and creative leadership.

Together, RTAs and RTAAs co-create a studio environment where art becomes both practice and purpose, fueling confidence and connections; sustainable paths essential for personal and communal growth.

For questions, contact:
Maurice Leon-Osion, ART 180 Program Director at maurice@art180.org or
Dallas Roquemore, ART 180 Program Manager at dallas@art180r.org

Applications are now closed for 2026

Residency Teaching Artist opportunity

Residency Teaching Artist Assistant opportunity

Residency Teaching Artist

Focus: Lead Artist–Educator. Curriculum Developer and Mentor

Applications close at 11:59 p.m. on January 4, 2026.

POSITION OVERVIEW
Supported by ART 180 staff and partners, the Residency Teaching Artist (RTA) serves as the lead instructor and creative mentor for the Atlas Artist Residency, a 9-week summer program for emerging youth artists ages 14-19 seeking to develop their skills, portfolios, and creative identities.

This position requires a practicing artist with demonstrated teaching experience, effective studio/classroom management skills, a passion for youth development, and a commitment to community-based creative practice.

WHO SHOULD APPLY:

Practicing artist with at least 2 years of experience in teaching and facilitation for high school students ages 14-19.
Demonstrate strong communication, project, and studio/classroom management skills.
Possess the ability to provide portfolio-based instruction and the ability to translate creative concepts into engaging, hands-on learning experiences.
Passionate about creative education, youth development, and community empowerment.
Comfortable working collaboratively within intergenerational and interdisciplinary environments.
Works in one or more of the following media and disciplines, but not limited to:
- Illustration & Drawing
- Painting (traditional + mixed media)
- Comic & Character Storytelling
- Anime, Magna, or Motion graphics
- Collage & Assemblage
- Graphic Design

WHY APPLY?
The Atlas Residency is an opportunity for teaching artists to deepen both their professional skill set and creative practice. The Residency Teaching Artist will gain access to career-building resources, including:

4-month Art Studio Residency (May through August) at ART 180
- Dedicated studio access outside of class time for personal creative work, research, and experimentation. Hours are self-directed during ART180’s scheduled studio hours to support the growth of the artist’s own practice.
$6,000 Stipend
- Distributed in scheduled payments throughout the residency to support participation, instruction, and exhibition responsibilities.
$1,200 material budget
- Allocated for the RTA personal creative development (not classroom supplies). Issued monthly and must be used within each month to support ongoing studio production, research, or project expenses.
Free Communal & Career Resources ( including curriculum development training, exhibition support, grant and residency opportunities, and community arts networking

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Develop and instruct a highly engaging, project-based curriculum that connects to ART 180’s annual theme and supports aspiring young artists (ages 14 - 19) in strengthening their artistic portfolios, technical skills, and creative confidence.
Maintain regular communication and collaboration with ART 180 staff and community partners to coordinate program logistics, manage materials and budgets, and support documentation and evaluations.
Participate in all orientation, training, and planning sessions before youth engagement.
Integrate personal creative practice where appropriate to model professional artistic processes.
Execute opening and closing procedures during the scheduled program and studio hours.
Maintain a clean and professional work environment during class and studio time.
Execute a final project that showcases personal and youth-created works in the final exhibition.

TIMELINE & COMMITMENT:
Teaching Schedule:
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (June 9 – August 11, 2026)
Art Studio Residency Dates:
May 1 – August 30, 2026 Time TBD
Additional Program Schedule:
May: Orientation, training. Curriculum development and community building
June–July: Program facilitation, studio practice, final project preparation and installations, and independent creative development.
August: First Friday Final Exhibition and community celebration.

HOW TO APPLY:

Interested artists should submit a completed application (below) that includes the following materials:
Profile Pic
A CV or resume outlining relevant experience
A portfolio of past work (3-5 samples) showcasing relevant artistic disciplines.
A brief statement of interest detailing your teaching philosophy, mentorship experience, and how your work aligns with the Atlas Artist Residency.
A proposed curriculum concept highlighting your approach to engaging young artists’ creative, technical, or professional skills to strengthen their portfolios and prepare them for future and career opportunities.

Prospect candidates will be interviewed.

APPLY HERE

Residency Teaching Artist Assistant

Focus: Emerging Teaching Artist & Alumni Leadership

Applications close at 11:59 p.m. on January 4, 2026.

POSITION OVERVIEW The Residency Teaching Artist Assistant (RTAA) position is designed for individuals who have graduated from high school, have previously completed Atlas Teen Programs, and are seeking to grow as emerging teaching artists. Working closely with the RTA and ART 180 staff, the RTAA supports instruction, assists with youth engagement, and contributes to both the creative and operational flow of the residency.

This is a hands-on apprenticeship that builds the RTAA’s teaching and creative portfolio, offering real-world experience in arts education, facilitation, and professional studio management, helping alumni take the next step from participant to practitioner.

WHO SHOULD APPLY:

ART 180 Alumni who have graduated from high school and previously completed Atlas Teen Programs.
Emerging artists with a genuine interest in arts education, youth mentorship, and collaborative teaching.
Dependable, creative, and eager to develop teaching skills and engage in youth-centered creative practices.
Demonstrates clear communication, artistic ability, and leadership in community or creative settings.
Works in one or more of the following artistic disciplines, but not limited to:
- Illustration & Drawing
- Painting (traditional + mixed media)
- Comic & Character Storytelling
- Anime, Magna, or Motion graphics
- Collage & Assemblage
- Graphic Design

WHY APPLY?

The selected ART 180 Alum will gain access to career-building resources, including:

4-month Art Studio Residency (May through August) at ART 180
Dedicated studio access outside of class time for personal creative work, research, and experimentation. Hours are self-directed during ART180’s scheduled studio hours to support the growth of the artist’s own practice.
$3,000 Stipend
- Distributed in scheduled payments throughout the residency to support participation, instruction, and exhibition responsibilities.
$600 Material Budget
- Allocated for the RTAA personal creative development (not classroom supplies). Issued monthly and must be used within each month to support ongoing studio production, research, or project expenses.
Free Communal & Career Resources ( including curriculum development training, exhibition support, grant and residency opportunities, and community arts networking